BACKGROUND:Cortez is a pirate skeleton that stayed in Keelhaul Key to guard his treasure. He pretends to be a moaning ghost to scare people who come in Pirates Grotto. After you beat him he will say that he is immortal but then Mario asks only for the crystal star and he gives it to you!
After the battle, Cortez offers to ferry people back and forth between Keelhaul Key and Rogueport.